NBA Rumors: Thunder Interested in Knicks’ Isaiah Hartenstein Ahead of Free Agency

The Oklahoma City Thunder are reportedly viewed as a “top threat” to land New York Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency this offseason, per the New York Post’s Stefan Bondy.

“After finishing atop the Western Conference with 57 wins in the regular season, Oklahoma City can make a stronger bid for Hartenstein than the Knicks, who are capped out but can offer a starting salary of roughly $17 million using their Early Bird Rights,” Stefan wrote.

Hartenstein, who spent the last two seasons with the Knicks, averaged 7.8 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season.

Hartenstein proved to be a valuable piece for the Knicks after having to take over for an injured Mitchell Robinson in the postseason. For Hartenstein, the best season of his career could lead to a bidding war this offseason.

The Thunder are looking to build off of a strong season after making it past the first round for the first time since 2016. Oklahoma City was just short of reaching the conference finals and seems to be on its way to being a contender in the West, and adding Hartenstein could help expedite that process.

Meanwhile for the Knicks, they will likely look to retain Hartenstein in hopes of keeping a group that was just a game away from the conference finals together. New York took the Indiana Pacers to seven games despite a plethora of different injuries, and the NBA Finals contention window seems open for the young group.

To keep that window open next season, paying to keep Hartenstein in New York could be a priority.

But the Thunder or Knicks could be looking at a lofty price tag for Hartenstein. The center is reportedly expected to receive some significant offers this offseason, even as high as $100 million.